Porn group lifting HIV-prompted filming moratorium

September 17, 2013

An adult film trade group will lift its second production moratorium of the past month, saying that an HIV scare has passed.

The Free Speech Coalition announced Monday that the two-week moratorium will end Friday.

The coalition also said it will require more frequent testing of actors for sexually transmitted diseases—every 14 days instead of the previous schedule of 28 days.

"Our industry protocols are designed to be conservative and our doctors support a conservative approach, for the health and well-being of the performers," said Diane Duke, the coalition's CEO.

Critics of the industry have said producers are not protecting performers. The industry has challenged a law passed last year by Los Angeles County voters that required actors to wear condoms during shoots.

In a written statement, the coalition promised to increase its safety protocols.

"We can do more to help our performers learn how to protect themselves, on screen and off," Duke said.

The group called a weeklong moratorium last month after a 28-year-old tested positive for HIV. After that production ban was lifted, a second actor was found to have HIV, and another work stoppage was called Sept. 6.

A third performer also tested positive. The coalition says all three appear to have contracted the virus in private life and all of their on-screen partners have tested negative.

A similar work ban was enacted last year after nearly a dozen performers were infected with syphilis.

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